What is SSDI Back Pay?
Frequently, if Social Security approves your disability claim, you will receive back pay. Back pay refers to the payments for the months between your application date and your approval date. Social Security calls your approval date your onset date. Sometimes, back pay can go back further than the filing date.
SSDI vs. SSI
Social Security offers two types of disability benefits. To qualify for disability insurance benefits (SSDI), you must have worked a certain number of years. To qualify for SSI, you must meet certain financial requirements.
Many times, you can qualify to apply for both types of benefits. For example, you worked for many years. However, once you stopped working, you no longer have an income. You now rely on food stamps and help from family members. Since you paid into Social Security, you can file for SSDI. Additionally, you meet the financial requirements for SSI because you don’t have any income or assets.
| Program | Who It’s For | Key Back Pay Rules |
|---|---|---|
| SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) | People who’ve worked and paid Social Security taxes | May include up to 12 months of retroactive pay before the application date, after the five-month waiting period. |
| SSI (Supplemental Security Income) | People with limited income and resources | No retroactive pay before your application date; benefits can start the month after you file. |
SSDI back pay
Under Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI), you can receive benefits back to the application date. However, you can also qualify to receive retroactive benefits. Retroactive benefits are paid for the months between when you became disabled and when you applied for benefits. Additionally, retroactive benefits can go back one year before the application filing date.
Several key factors determine the amount of back pay you may receive:
- Disability Onset Date: The date your disability began (the SSA calls this your established onset date or EOD).
- Application Date: The date you filed your disability claim.
- Approval Date: The date your claim was approved.
- Mandatory Waiting Period: A five-month period after your disability begins when benefits are not yet payable.
If your approval takes longer than those five months, which is common, the SSA may owe you SSDI back pay for the additional time you waited.
SSDI back pay and the 5 month waiting period
Social Security does not pay back pay for the first five months after your disability began. You start receiving benefits at the beginning of the sixth month. Typically, the 5 month wait period can be much shorter than the time it takes for Social Security to approve your application.
When you file for disability benefits, you tell Social Security when you became disabled. Social Security refers to this date as your alleged onset date. Generally, your onset date should be the date you stopped working. It can also be the date of an injury or illness. When Social Security finds you disabled, this date becomes your established onset date (EOD). Your EOD also determines when your back pay starts.
When Social Security finds a different onset date
Sometimes, your EOD doesn’t match your alleged onset date. This happens when Social Security finds that your disability began on a different date than what you put on your application. Common reasons Social Security finds a different EOD include:
- A change in age categories – there are more favorable rules for disability the older you are. Specifically, they are more favorable for people over the age of 50. Therefore, Social Security can find you disabled once you reach the older age category.
- Medical records and treatment – Social Security relies on medical records to decide if you qualify for disability benefits. So if your treatment started later, your condition worsened over time or if something new happened, Social Security can find you disabled at a later date based on your medical records.
How does Social Security pay your back pay?
The SSA pays your SSDI back pay in lump sums. However, Social Security releases your back pay in different ways for SSDI and SSI. For SSDI, Social Security sends you one lump sum payment. This includes all of your SSDI back pay and retroactive benefits. Unlike SSDI, Social Security sends your SSI back pay in installments. They split these installments into three payments. Social Security sends these installments six months apart. Social Security does this because you cannot have more than $2000 at any time in order to receive your current monthly SSI payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far back can SSDI back pay go?
SSDI can include up to 12 months of retroactive pay before your application date if you were disabled during that time and met all eligibility requirements. - How long does it take to receive back pay after approval?
Payment times vary. Many recipients receive their lump sum within a few months of approval, but it can take longer if your case involves both SSDI and SSI.
Disability Help Group Is Here For You
Back pay can make a big difference when you’ve been waiting months or even years for your disability benefits. If you’re unsure how much you might receive or need help calculating your potential back pay, Disability Help Group can assist. We’ll review your timeline, determine your earliest possible benefit date, and make sure your case is handled correctly from start to finish. CLICK HERE to get started, or call us at 800-800-3332
